110312-N-ZI955-041 HACHINOHE, Japan (March 12, 2011) A damaged water pipe shoots into the air after a tsunami triggered by a 8.9 magnitude earthquake off the Northeastern coast of Japan. The earthquake was the strongest ever recorded in Japan, which caused considerable damage to the country's eastern coastline. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Daniel Sanford/Released)

Suzuki Hideto (back) and Staff Sgt. Jason Holmes assist a passenger exiting a bus March 11, 2011, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The passengers arrived at the base after their commercial flights were diverted from Narita International Airport in Tokyo, due to an 8.9 magnitude earthquake. Mr. Suzuki is a recreational specialist assigned to the 374th Force Support Squadron. Sergeant Holmes is assigned to the 374th Civil Engineer Squaron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman John D. Partlow)

Passengers of a commercial airline flight take shelter March 11, 2011, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. Base officials there provided food and shelter to passengers of aircraft diverted from Narita International Airport in Tokyo, due to an 8.9-magnitude earthquake. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea Salazar)

110312-N-ZI955-085 HACHINOHE, Japan (March 12, 2011) A desk chair lies in a layer of mud and petroleum that now covers much of the U.S. Navy Fleet and Industrial Supply Center facility Yokosuka Defense Fuel Support Point, Hachinohe after a tsunami swept through the area. The tsunami was triggered by an 8.9 magnitude earthquake, the strongest ever recorded in Japan, which caused considerable damage to the country's eastern coastline. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Daniel Sanford/Released)

The United States is sending military and humanitarian assistance to Japan, after an 8.9-magnitude earthquake and tsunami ravaged the nation on Friday.

Operation Tomodachi, Japanese for "friendship," is coordinating all humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

Although the United States is preparing Marine, Navy and Air Force units to help -- and American experts and humanitarian groups are offering assistance, though they still have to wait for the Japanese to give the green light to assist and specify where and what kind of help is needed.

"We have units from all of our services, with a multitude of capabilities, from medical to communications to civil engineering, poised and ready to support where needed," U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos said in a paper statement.

Two Marine helicopters have already delivered 1,500 pounds of rice and bread to the hardest hit area, Shioishi City in Miyagi Prefecture. The food was a donation from Ebina City, a suburb of Tokyo. Meanwhile, five Air Force helicopters and crews from rescue squadrons were en route to an air base near Tokyo to support search and rescue missions.

Eight Navy ships are either nearby, or moving toward Japan. The USS McCampbell and USS Curtis are at sea preparing to help with at-sea search and rescue and recovery operations; they will be joined by the USS Mustin on Sunday.

The USS Ronald Reagan is also expected to arrive on Sunday, functioning as a refueling station for the Japan Self-Defense Forces and helicopters involved in search and rescue.

The USS Blue Ridge was re-stocked with aid, including food and water, and is expected to arrive on Friday. Three more ships, the USS Tortuga, USS Essex and USS Germantown are also en route to Japan.

The Japanese government has accepted help from the U.S. Agency for International Development, which sent search and rescue teams from Fairfax and Los Angeles to assist rescue efforts Saturday morning.

The teams include 150 personnel and 12 dogs trained to detect live victims. They will join Japanese and international search and rescue teams in the search for live victims upon arrival on Sunday morning.

Two officials from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission were also on board that USAID flight, though Japan has not yet accepted an offer of assistance from the commission.

"We have some of the most expert people in this field in the world working for the NRC and we stand ready to assist in any way possible," said Chairman Gregory Jaczko in a paper statement.

The American Red Cross has also extended an offer of help. So far, Japanese Red Cross said it would accept financial support to help provide first aid and relief items to those displaced.

American Red Cross will deploy a disaster management expert Sunday from Washington, D.C., for a week-long mission. She will serve on a seven-person, international team focused on providing high-level support and advice.

Across the board, the Japanese continue to lead the local earthquake and tsunami response, while American military units, experts, and humanitarian groups stand by, ready to answer a call for help.

110312-F-YB203-047a U.S. Air Force airmen go over checklist and prepare mobility bags to Misawa Air Base, at Kadena Air Base, March 12, 2011. The airmen, assigned to the 18th Civil Engineer Group will assist Misawa personnel with regaining the electric and power capabilities. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lakisha Croley

110312-F-RW714-139a U.S. Air Force airmen load a pallet onto a U.S. Air Force C-17A Globe Master III, March Air Reserve Base, Calif., March 12, 2011. The supplies are in route to Japan for earthquake relief efforts. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Smith

110312-F-RW714-015a Homer Hawkins a civilian contractor with Satellite Services Industries marshals in a U.S. Air Force C-17A Globe Master III from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., March 12, 2011, at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., in preparation to load supplies in route to Japan for earthquake relief. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Smith

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Shawn Terrault unloads a pallet using a 10K Adverse Terrain forklift on March Air Reserve Base, Calif., March 12, 2011. Terrault is assigned to the 452nd Aerial Port Support Flight. The supplies are in route to Japan for earthquake relief efforts. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Smith

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2011  The United States is prepared to help Japan deal with the aftermath of the massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that struck today in any way we possibly can, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in Bahrain.

I've been kept informed all day long about the tsunami in Japan, the earthquake and tsunami, said Gates, who is on a trip through the Middle East and Europe. As best we can tell, all of our people are OK, [and] our ships and military facilities are all in pretty good shape.

The secretary said that although Japan is a very sophisticated country, this is a huge disaster and we will do anything we are asked to do to help out."

Gates joined President Barack Obama, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Navy Adm. Mike Mullen and other U.S. officials in offering condolences and aid to the Japanese people for the massive disaster that struck near the coast of Honshu.

Japan is, of course, one of our strongest and closest allies and this morning I spoke with Prime Minister [Naoto] Kan, Obama said during a news conference here. On behalf of the American people, I conveyed our deepest condolences especially to the victims and their families, and I offered our Japanese friends whatever assistance is needed.

Obama received a briefing this morning in the Oval Office on the earthquake in Japan and the tsunami warnings across the Pacific from several senior U.S. government officials.

We currently have an aircraft carrier in Japan and another is on its way, he said at the news conference. We also have a ship en route to the Marianas Islands to assist as needed.

U.S. embassy personnel in Tokyo have moved to an offsite location, the president added, and the State Department is working to account for and assist American citizens who are in the country.

Tsunami warnings have been issued across the Pacific, and initial waves from the tsunami have reached Guam and other U.S. territories, Alaska and Hawaii, and other areas along the West Coast.

Here in the United States, there hasnt been any major damage so far, Obama said, but were taking this very seriously and we are monitoring the situation very closely.

Mullen offered condolences to the beleaguered nation.

Thoughts and prayers to the people of Japan as they deal with the aftermath of this powerful earthquake, he said on his Twitter feed. Ready to help in any way we can.

Pentagon spokesman Marine Corps Col. Dave Lapan said the United States has a large number of military assets that include personnel, ships and aircraft on mainland Japan, on the Japanese island of Okinawa, and throughout the Pacific region.

He said 38,000 military personnel, 43,000 family members and 5,000 Defense Department civilian employees are assigned to U.S. Forces Japan.

All of the different forces in Japan and in the surrounding area are going through 100 percent accountability checks, Lapan said, adding that there are no reports of deaths or serious injuries among military personnel and no significant damage to ships, aircraft or facilities.

On his Twitter feed this morning, Noriyuki Shikata, deputy cabinet secretary for public relations and director of global communications at the Japanese prime minister's office, said the Japanese government requested U.S. forces in Japan to support efforts to rescue people and to provide oil and medical aid via the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, adding his thanks to the U.S. government.

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2011  U.S. forces are swinging into action to assist Japan in the wake of a magnitude 8.9 earthquake that struck early this morning.

We are assessing the situation and positioning forces so that they are ready to respond and provide disaster relief if directed, said Navy Cmdr. Leslie Hull-Ryde, a Pentagon spokeswoman.

Japan has requested U.S. assistance through the State Department.

The USS Tortuga, in Sasebo, Japan, is preparing to load landing craft and to leave for the disaster areas as early as this evening.

The USS Essex, with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, this morning. The ship is preparing to depart as early as this evening.

The USS Blue Ridge, in Singapore, is taking on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies and preparing to depart tomorrow morning.

The USS Ronald Reagan carrier strike group, at sea in the western Pacific on its way to Korea, can respond if directed.

We are watching the situation closely and will adjust the track as required, Hull-Ryder said.

Earthquake impacts on 7th Fleet, with headquarters in Yokosuka, Japan, include the following:

-- Ships in port in Yokosuka stationed linehandlers to adjust to water-level changes in Yokosuka harbor. No damage has been reported to any of the ships.

-- Ships in Guam have been directed to leave if possible, or to recall personnel and adjust lines during changes in sea level.

-- Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force headquarters in Misawa was briefly evacuated. It is without power and operating from a generator.

-- Amphibious Force headquarters in White Beach, Okinawa, moved its watch to higher ground at Kadena Air Base in preparation for a forecasted tsunami.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake and subsequent tsunami was preceded by a series of large foreshocks over the past two days, beginning on March 9 with a 7.2 magnitude quake 25 miles from todays earthquake, and continuing with another three earthquakes greater than magnitude 6.0 on the same day.

The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Eva Beach, Hawaii, has issued a tsunami warning.

A tsunami has been generated that could cause damage along coastlines of all islands in the state of Hawaii, the warning says. Action should be taken to protect lives and property.
The zone that produced todays earthquake has produced nine temblors of magnitude 7 or greater since 1973. The largest was a December 1994 magnitude 7.8 earthquake 160 miles north of todays quake that killed three people and injured nearly 700.

President Barack Obama issued a statement this morning pledging any help Japan may need from the United States and announcing that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is preparing for potential tsunami-response operations in the United States and its territories.

"Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the people of Japan, particularly those who have lost loved ones in the earthquake and tsunamis, the statement said. The United States stands ready to help the Japanese people in this time of great trial.

The friendship and alliance between our two nations is unshakeable, and only strengthens our resolve to stand with the people of Japan as they overcome this tragedy, Obama added. We will continue to closely monitor tsunamis around Japan and the Pacific going forward, and we are asking all our citizens in the affected region to listen to their state and local officials as I have instructed FEMA to be ready to assist Hawaii and the rest of the U.S states and territories that could be affected."

Americans in affected areas who need to contact the State Department can do so by e-mail to [email protected] or [email protected]. The State Department also is posting the latest travel information for the affected areas on the World Wide Web and via Twitter.

110312-N-0000X-003 SENDAI, Japan (March 12, 2011) An SH-60B helicopter assigned to the Chargers of Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HS) 14 from Naval Air Facility Atsugi flies over the city of Sendai to deliver more than 1,500 pounds of food to survivors of an 8.9 magnitude earthquake and a tsunami. The citizens of Ebina City, Japan, donated the food, and HS-14 is supporting earthquake and tsunami relief operations in Japan as directed. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

"I'm amazed at the things we've achieved in such a short time," said Master Chief Information Systems Technician Lonnie Gillilan, who led the recent on-load preparations aboard Blue Ridge. "We've all been pulling together, no complaining. I'm very impressed."

Sailors worked past midnight Friday, loading equipment to allow Blue Ridge to provide fresh water and supplies during HADR support operations.

"It's giving me a sense of accomplishment to know that the work we're doing could help people out," said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Patrick Ramos, who helped push crates of supplies from the flight deck.

Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Jonathan Howton, a leading petty officer aboard Blue Ridge, has experience conducting HADR support operations in conditions similar to those location in Japan affected by the recent tsunami.

"I was aboard USS Iwo Jima when we provided aid to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina," said Howton. "In a disaster situation you have to prepare for the unknown. You never know what's going to happen."

USS Blue Ridge is uniquely equipped and able to perform amphibious command and control operations and is ready to support assigned HADR relief efforts.

SINGAPORE (NNS) -- USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrived in Singapore, March 11, for the ship's first port visit to the city since October 2009.

Blue Ridge and embarked 7th fleet Sailors will continue strengthening ties in the international city through community service events and cultural exchanges during the ship's port visit.

Sailors and embarked Marines of Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Pacific will visit and volunteer at the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, Boys' Town and the Street 11 Mission. Boy Scouts, military members and local residents are also scheduled to tour the ship for a glimpse of daily operations aboard a U.S. Navy vessel.

The ship's Morale, Welfare and Recreation program is offering Sailors the opportunity to join tours ranging from cultural history to theme parks during the ship's stay.

"I've been to Singapore before, but this is my first chance to get out in town and actually see the city," said Lt. Roy Lopez, Commander, 7th Fleet lead force flow planner. "I'm going on a cultural tour of Singapore. Singapore has diverse cultures, and it's great to learn their history and how they've influenced the city."

110313-N-SB672-004 TAKIHANA, Japan (March 13, 2011) An aerial view of tsunami damage in an area north of Sendai, Japan, taken from a U.S. Navy helicopter assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is off the coast of Japan rendering humanitarian assistance and disaster relief following an 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dylan McCord/ Released)

110312-M-2739S-002 III Marine Expeditionary Force Marines and sailors disembark from a KC-130J Hercules aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, March 12, 2011, during a humanitarian assistance/disaster relief mission in response to the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck Japan March 11. 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III MEF, is working to provide food, water, and medical supplies to those in support of Operation Tomodachi. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Leo A. Salinas

Posted 3/12/2011
3/12/2011 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) -- Air Mobility Command forces are poised to support relief operations in Japan after the earthquakes and resulting tsunamis that have struck the nation, according to AMC officials.

Numerous AMC aircraft and crews have been placed on alert, according to officials, positioning forces to take-off within hours of receiving the call to support the humanitarian relief effort.

Both tanker and airlift aircraft are included in the alert posture. Forces from the 615th Contingency Response Wing at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., also are poised to deploy to quickly, and open and operate airfields to receive and off-load humanitarian relief supplies.

Mission planning and command-and-control for the AMC portion of the humanitarian effort will be led by AMC's Tanker Airlift Control Center here. As AMC's hub for global operations, the TACC staff plans, schedules and directs a fleet of nearly 1,300 mobility aircraft in support ofstrategic airlift, air refueling and aeromedical evacuation operations around the world.

In addition to supporting U.S. warfighters in Iraq and Afghanistan, AMC's global mission includes humanitarian airlift in response to global events, such as is the case with supporting relief operations in Japan.

110313-F-YB203-006 Staff Sgt. Tyson Reams packs equipment onto an HH-60 Pavehawk March 13, 2011, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, before taking off for mainland Japan. More than 100 Airmen from Kadena AB are providing medical attention and helping to restore electric power in support of disaster relief operations after the recent earthquake and tsunami. Sergeant Reams is a flight engineer and gunner assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Lakisha A. Croley)

3/13/2011 110312-F-0000X-002 - Staff Sgt. Anthony Schmaus, U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific, performs on stage for passengers diverted from Narita International Airport inside the community center at Yokota Air Base, Japan, March 11, 2011. The jazz combo entertained passengers who stayed overnight as a result of the earthquake in Tokyo. (Courtesy photo)

Tech. Sgt. Vontez Morrow preps U-2 pilot Capt. Beau Block for a humanitarian mission March 13, 2011, that will depart from Osan Air Base, South Korea, to capture imagery of the earthquake- and tsunami-affected areas of Japan. Sergeant Morrow and Captain Block are assigned to the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. Paul Holcomb

3/13/2011 - OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) -- As Japan copes with the aftermath of the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that struck March 11, the United States has sent help in the form of personnel, equipment and a watchful eye in the sky: a U-2 high-altitude, all-weather surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft from the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron here.

In conjunction with an RQ-4 Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft from the 9th Operations Group's Detachment 3 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, the U-2 has been deployed to capture high-resolution, broad-area synoptic imagery, by using an optical bar camera producing traditional film products which are developed and analyzed after landing

Once the aircraft returns with the film, it will be shipped to Beale AFB, Calif., where experts with the 9th Intelligence Squadron will process and analyze the 10,500 feet of film.

"The broad, synoptic collection of large land mass and littorals are of great benefit to decision makers," said Lt. Col. Spencer Thomas, the 5th RS commander. "It will aid them in determining locations and extent of damage the earthquake and tsunami have left."

Colonel Thomas also said the imagery can be likened to X-rays of a medical injury.

"It's like a personal injury; immediately after the event, one must determine where and how they have been injured," he said. "Our mission serves that function."

From start to finish, the mission is expected to take four to five days. Colonel Thomas said once they were notified, it took about 12 hours of planning and preparation to get the plane off the ground.

Staff Sgt. William Ehinger, a U-2 crew chief with the 5th RS, led his team quickly to ensure the aircraft was ready to launch.

"I am proud to be part of the humanitarian mission to help our allies," he said. "In fact, all Airmen in the 5th RS are proud to be helping out to provide the data Japan needs to rebuild their country."

Because the U-2 flies at such a high altitude -- more than 70,000 feet -- the pilot must wear a complete pressure suit similar to those worn by astronauts. This process of preparing the pilot takes a couple hours to complete.

The upload of the camera, which is much larger than a typical camera, weighs about 300 pounds, with the film weighing more than 120 pounds. Six hours later, the aircraft has been prepared.

"These kinds of missions require much, much more than a pilot, an aircraft and a sensor," Colonel Thomas said. "The extended teamwork associated with this sort of effort reaches across multiple squadrons."

During this humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission, Colonel Thomas said everyone involved was keenly focused on the task at hand, as they are in any mission.

"It's an extended network of Airmen, Americans, reaching out to assist our friends and allies in Japan," he said. "They're our friends and we're going to do whatever we can to help them."

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- U.S. Pacific Fleet ships in the Western Pacific were converging on Japan to be in the best position to help those in areas damaged by the massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami.

They include the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), which departed Southern California waters on March 5 for a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific and U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Reagan is the flagship of the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, which includes USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and USS Preble (DDG 88). All three ships were headed to Honshu's east coast. It is too early to say what they will be tasked with once they arrive.

USS Essex (LHD 2), also forward deployed to Sasebo, had just arrived in Malaysia, but is getting ready to return to Japan to rendezvous with USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and USS Germantown (LSD 42) off Tokyo to prepare for any humanitarian assistance/disaster relief duties.

USS Tortuga (LSD 46), a dock landing ship that carries helicopters and landing craft to support amphibious operations, left its forward deployed port of Sasebo in Southern Japan last evening to embark MH-53 heavy lift helicopters.

USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), the U.S. Seventh Fleet command ship, had arrived in Singapore yesterday for a port visit, but immediately changed its focus to loading humanitarian assistance/disaster relief equipment and preparing to return to Japan to provide support as directed.

"We obviously have huge sympathy for the people of Japan, and we are prepared to help them in any way we possibly can," Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in a statement. "It's obviously a very sophisticated country, but this is a huge disaster and we will do all, anything we are asked to do to help out."

One reason for the speedy U.S. response: the 7th Fleet began to prepare for humanitarian relief before receiving orders to conduct operations, something that they had to wait for from the Japanese government: link

Aerial views of debris from an 8.9 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck northern Japan. The debris was inspected by a helicopter-based search and rescue team from the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ships and aircraft from the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group are searching for survivors in the coastal waters near Sendai, Japan. (U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dylan McCord/Released)

No. 11-045 March 12, 2011NRC EXPERTS DEPLOY TO JAPAN AS PART OF U.S. GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
Two officials from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission with expertise in boiling water nuclear reactors have deployed to Japan as part of a U.S. International Agency for International Development (USAID) team. USAID is the federal government agency primarily responsible for providing assistance to countries recovering from disaster.
We have some of the most expert people in this field in the world working for the NRC and we stand ready to assist in any way possible, said Chairman Gregory Jaczko.
The NRC has stood up its Maryland-based headquarters Operations Center since the beginning of the emergency in Japan, and is operating on a 24-hour basis.
The NRC will not provide information on the status of that countrys nuclear power plants. Check the NRC web site or blog for the latest information on NRC actions. Other sources of information include:
USAID -- U.S. Agency for International Development
U.S. Dept. of State -- U.S. Department of State
FEMA -- FEMA | Federal Emergency Management Agency
White House -- The White House
Nuclear Energy Institute -- Nuclear Energy Institute - Clean-Air Energy
International Atomic Energy Agency -- IAEA Alert Log
For background information on generic operations at a boiling-water reactor, including an animated graphic, visit the NRCs website at NRC: Home Page.

No. 11-047 March 14, 2011JAPANESE GOVERNMENT ASKS FOR ASSISTANCE WITH REACTOR EVENTS;
U.S. GOVERNMENT AND NRC PREPARING RESPONSE
The Japanese government has formally asked for assistance from the United States as it continues to respond to nuclear power plant cooling issues triggered by an earthquake and tsunami on March 11. As part of a larger U.S. government response, the NRC is considering possible replies to the request, which includes providing technical advice.
Included in a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) team dispatched earlier to Japan to assist with the disaster are two boiling-water reactor (BWR) experts from the NRC. They are currently in Tokyo offering technical assistance. USAID is the federal government agency primarily responsible for providing help to countries recovering from a disaster.
The NRC has been monitoring the Japanese reactor events via its Headquarters Operations Center in Rockville, Md., on a 24-hour-a-day basis.
The NRC will not comment on hour-to-hour developments at the Japanese reactors. This is an ongoing crisis for the Japanese who have primary responsibility.

No. 11-048 March 14, 2011NRC SENDS ADDITIONAL EXPERTS TO ASSIST JAPAN
Acting as part of a U.S. Agency for International Development assistance team, the NRC
has dispatched eight additional experts to Tokyo to provide assistance as requested by the
Japanese government.
The first members of the team left the United States Monday evening and were due to
arrive in Tokyo Wednesday afternoon. The team includes additional reactor experts,
international affairs professional staffers, and a senior manager from one of the NRCs four
operating regions.
The team members come from the NRCs headquarters in Rockville, Md., and from
offices in King of Prussia, Pa., and Atlanta. The team has been instructed to: conduct all
activities needed to understand the status of efforts to safely shut down the Japanese reactors;
better understand the potential impact on people and the environment of any radioactivity
releases; if asked, provide technical advice and support through the U.S. ambassador for the
Japanese governments decision making process; and draw on NRC-headquarters expertise for
any other additional technical requirements. The team will be in communication with the
Japanese regulator, the U.S. Embassy, NRC headquarters, and other government stakeholders as
appropriate.
The team is led by Charles A. Casto, deputy regional administrator of the NRCs Center
of Construction Inspection, based in NRCs office in Atlanta. Casto has worked in the
commercial nuclear power industry at three different nuclear power plants, including Browns
Ferry, which has three boiling water reactors, operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority in
Alabama. He has also worked as a licensed reactor operator and operator instructor. Casto will
provide a single point of contact for the U.S. Ambassador in Japan on nuclear reactor issues.
The two reactor experts sent Saturday to Japan will participate as members of this assistance
team.
###

110313-F-NW653-001c A joint U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps search and rescue team look over the earthquake damage on Sendai Airport near Yokota Air Base, Japan, March 13, 2011. The team is part of the U.S. militarys disaster relief efforts in the wake of a massive earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan just days before. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse

110314-N-MU720-094 MISAWA, Japan (March 14, 2011) U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class John and Petty Officer 1st Class Shakir Briggs help a Japanese man remove debris from the Misawa fishing port, Japan, March 14, 2011. More than 90 sailors from Naval Air Facility Misawa volunteered in the relief effort, assisting Misawa City employees and members of the community. Dicola is an aerographer's mate and Briggs is an intelligence specialist assigned to the facility. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Devon Dow

110315-N-MU720-094 MISAWA, Japan (March 15, 2011) Sailors assigned to Naval Air Facility Misawa help a Misawa City employee transport salvageable fishing equipment at the Misawa Fishing Port. More than 120 Sailors and Airmen from the air base joined Misawa City workers and members of the community in the relief effort. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Devon Dow/Released)

CAMP ZAMA, Japan (Army News Service, March 14, 2011) -- In response to the earthquake and tsunami that hit northern Japan March 11, U.S. Army Japan/1st Corps Forward has activated its Emergency Operations Center and is mobilizing a disaster assessment team.

The 8.9-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami devastated a number of coastal towns in northern Japan and reports indicate that some survivors are still without adequate food and water. The U.S. Army team will assist with bilateral humanitarian aid and disaster relief support operations there in the vicinity of Sendai, officials said.

An initial 10-person team included translators, personnel from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Japan Engineer District, communications experts and medical personnel. The disaster assessment team from Camp Zama, in Kanagawa Prefecture, was deployed to the Sendai area to join with the U.S. Forces Japan forward command post that is in place to synchronize U.S. efforts with their Japan Self Defense Force counterparts.

U.S. Army Japan has also been acquiring accountability of personnel and assessing its own facilities and equipment to determine limitations. Officials said initial assessments seem to indicate a few facilities have sustained light damage. All electrical power outages on U.S. Army installations in Japan have been restored, they said, though Soldiers and employees are being asked to conserve electricity during peak hours due to the shortage across Japan.

No reports of water or sewage issues have been received on Army installations, officials said.

U.S. Army Japan's primary mission is the defense of Japan, as part of the U.S.-government of Japan Mutual Security Alliance. The humanitarian-assistance operation is in response to requests by the Japanese government to assist in rescue and recovery operations.